"Marquette has one of the best teams they've had for a while and will be a force the rest of the way."

The Redmen also used a 24-0 run in the second quarter - behind seven points by Pap, six by Brow and six by Grazulis - to blow the game open and lead 40-10 just before the half.

"Everyone got aggressive with the ball and knocked down some shots," Pap said. "Brow hit a couple of 3s (among four he nailed in the first half) and we were patient to see the gaps in (Escanaba's) defense."

Said Hudson: "It was a combination of them getting turnovers and us missing some shots. They got on a roll there and took the game from us. They totally dominated us."

With the MSHS run, the Redmen led Esky 42-12 at the half.

"To hold them to 12 points in the half, that was a huge statement," Nelson said. "We take pride in our defense."

MSHS claimed a 58-25 lead heading into the fourth quarter and led 62-30 early in the final stanza before Nelson began emptying his bench.

The Eskymos then outscored the Redmen 15-4 the rest of the way, with Molnar and Macon notching five points apiece to make the final score more respectable.

"I'm proud of my kids and the way they battled in the second half," Hudson said. "We just have to learn to play tougher and smarter."